Swiss Yodeler will stand the 2009 breeding season at John Harris’ Harris Farm near Coalinga, Calif. He previously stood at Pepper Oaks Farm.
Grade I winner Swiss Yodeler, now 14, was raced and is still owned by Heinz Steinman and was trained by Mike Harrington. Swiss Yodeler won five stakes as a 2-year-old including the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I), Hollywood Juvenile (gr. II), and Best Pal Stakes (gr. III). He earned $761,442.
Sire of the 2006 TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) and Eclipse Award winner Thor’s Echo, Swiss Yodeler has consistently been a leading California sire with progeny earnings of $16,626,626. With seven crops of racing age, Swiss Yodeler (Eastern Echo-Drapeau, by Raja Baba), has sired 19 stakes winners, 35 stakes-placed, 71% starters from foals and 71% winners from starters.
“I have always greatly admired Swiss Yodeler and am absolutely delighted to have him standing at our farm,” said John Harris. “He was a top race horse and is an outstanding sire. His progeny perform well on all types of track surfaces, and at a variety of distances. He is such a good looking individual. I wanted to breed to him the first time I saw him several years ago and we have bred several mares to him the last few years. We will definitely be sending some of our best mares to him and know that he will do very well here.”
Harris continued: “We are very honored to now be the only farm in California standing two stallions that have sired champions and Breeders Cup winners-Cee’s Tizzy, sire of Tiznow , the only horse to ever win the Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I) twice, and now Swiss Yodeler, sire of Sprint winner Thor’s Echo, both of which were raised at Harris Farms.”
Heinz Steinman added, “We’re very excited about moving Swiss Yodeler to Harris Farms and the support he will receive there. Patricia Youngman and her staff at Pepper Oaks did an excellent job with Swiss Yodeler and w appreciates their contributions to his success.”
Mike Harrington, who purchased Swiss Yodeler as a yearling and trained him throughout his career added, “Heinz and I feel this is a great opportunity to further Swiss Yodeler’s career going forward and are pleased to be associated with Harris Farms. Swiss Yodeler has a great disposition, outstanding confirmation and gets correct foals that can run early and often. His future is very bright.”
Swiss Yodeler’s 2009 fee will be announced in September. He joins Cee’s Tizzy, High Brite, Redattore, Tizbud, Stormy Jack, Lucky Pulpit, Downtown Seattle, and Avanzado at Harris Farms.